All Baby and Child Corporation (ABC), creators of the ABC Kids Expo, and the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA), the industry trade association dedicated to the safe selection and use of juvenile products, will remain independent and will not merge. However, the two non-profit trade organizations will continue their collaborative relationship, which has strengthened over the past two years. As part of this evolving relationship, the two organizations will continue to evaluate the ever-changing needs of the juvenile industry and how to best support all industry stakeholders.

ABC remains committed to ongoing funding of key industry strategic initiatives at least through March 2015, including the enhancement of more frequent communications to all industry stakeholders to increase consumer confidence in the juvenile products industry. Since discussions began early last year, the formation of a vibrant specialty retail trade group, Brixy, was launched and continues to be funded by ABC.

Additionally, JPMA achieved an important industry goal by establishing an office in Washington, D.C. to increase the effectiveness of advocacy efforts at federal and state levels in the best interests of manufacturers, retailers, and consumers. Ongoing initiatives included in the funding agreement include increasing the scope and effectiveness of safety standards, the JPMA Certification Program, and the value of membership with JPMA.

JPMA and ABC have had a collaborative relationship for many years and will continue to work hand-in-hand on a number of different industry matters. While the merger discussions will not continue, the ongoing evolution of the working relationship will remain in order to best support the manufacturer and retail communities.

New Products

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment (WBIE), TT Games, and The Lego Group will launch Lego Worlds on Feb. 21 for PlayStation4, Xbox One, and STEAM. The game is a galaxy of imaginative words made entirely of digital LEGO bricks where players can explore, discover, and create together.

TILT launched two SpinTales products online at Toysrus.com, the SpinTales Enchanted Duvet and Jungle Rug. Kids can use the free app designed for these products to create immersive augmented reality experiences with the products, which blur the boundaries between the physical and digital worlds.

Jakks Pacific has been granted the rights to manufacture and market a line of pet products inspired by the BOO—The World’s Cutest Dog brand. The Pets division of Jakks is planning a line of BOO-branded dog toys featuring BOO’s likeness and specially designed for small dogs, as well as dog apparel, dog beds, and dog [...]

To celebrate “Colorful Friday” and the launch of the new Special Edition Gemma Stone Shoppie Doll, Moose Toys is launching the “Make the World Sparkle and Shine” fan contest. To enter the contest starting on Nov. 25, fans must submit 4 to 6 sentences describing how they add “sparkle” to their world by helping out [...]

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment announced the release of six expansion packs for LEGO Dimensions, led by the Sonic The Hedgehog Level Pack and the Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them Story Pack.